Georgiana rolled her eyes. “Youmust have had rich and handsome men after your hand.”
“Handsome men, I have had a few.” Elizabeth winked. “And one or two with wealth. Alas, ‘twas my misfortune that those with wealth had not looks.”
“I do not believe you.” Georgiana laughed. “There must have beensomesuitor both eligibleandhandsome. You have a sufficient dowry, and you aresopretty.”
“Flatterer.”
“Anyone can see it.” Georgiana blushed. “My brother sees it.”
Mr. Darcy thought her very pretty? She knew he did. But somehow Georgiana noticing that he noticed her… something twisted in Elizabeth’s guts. Like a kitten chasing butterflies in her stomach.
Bennet and Anne ran up, with Bennet lifting his arms for Elizabeth to pick him up. “Look what Anne brought!” He held up a beautifully carved horse. “I want one like it too. Tell Mama for me.”
Elizabeth laughed.
Anne said in an eager voice, “Uncle Will gave it! He can! He can get one for Bennet.”
Elizabeth kissed her nephew seating on her lap. “Mr. Darcy would be happy to acquire such a toy for you.”
Elizabeth looked at Georgiana. “The wrong man is worse than not marrying at all. I demand to be seen as an equal and never expected to act contrary to what I wish due to my husband’s whim or will. A hopeless matter. I expect too much.”
“No, no! — You shall find such love! I know! But, Lizzy, you are so clever, you dress so smartly; you are alwayslovely. Men always watch at you and stare as you speak.”
Elizabeth thought of the girl’s brother. Her heart pounded, her face flushed. She saw Darcy looking at her.
“You have! You have had a suitor you liked very much indeed!”
“Isthatsuch a surprise? Men are handsome as a sex. Their best excuse for their ample failings.”
Georgiana giggled. “My brother is not so bad.”
“Nay, he is the worst.”
“Tell me! Tell me about this man.”
“I shall not.”
“Please…as friends? What happened to him?”
“I do not know. Not every story is over. I doubt I could make this man happy.”
“You should marry him! You deserve to be happy. You could make anyone happy.” Was there something meaningful in Georgiana’s look? As though she thought Elizabeth was thinking of her brother.
Elizabeth exclaimed. “Enough ofme! ‘Tisyourturn to be teased. What suitors have you had?”
“Me! I could have none.”
“Ridiculous.”
“Lizzy! Everyone knows.” Georgiana gestured at Anne, who was happily trotting the wooden horse while Bennet kept a soldier seated upon it.
“Fiddle. Most women with a child like yours marry sooner or later.”
“What do you mean? I am a stain upon the family honor; I was probably switched at birth with a peasant girl who—”
Elizabeth laughed. “Switched at birth! How absurd. Who said that.”
“My Aunt, Lady Catherine, said so, and she ”
